Perfume is the most subjective of all beauty products. One woman’s Poison is, well, another woman’s 80s shoulder pad scent from hell. It’s something we see regularly on the Notebook beauty desk, when one of us might swoon over a rich new evening scent, while another wrinkles her nose and calls it ‘airport perfume’.
As well as ensuring we never fight over signature bottles, our different leanings are helpful when we’re making fragrance recommendations.
Perfume experts often ask women to name their current favourite scent to help discover others they’ll like, so if you share a similar taste with one of us, it might just help you uncover your next fragrance obsession…
Beauty director Lynne’s fragrance style is: Edible and evocative
‘I love a “foodie” fragrance, as long as it’s not sickly. My go-to daytime scents are Fresh Sugar and Laura Mercier Tarte Au Citron, both with a citrus zing that cuts through the caramel. For evening I’ll wear anything from a powdery oriental like Guerlain Shalimar, or a heady jasmine floral like Shay & Blue Atropa Belladonna, from £30, to something that reminds me of summer, like the coconutty Nuxe Prodigieux.’
New scents she loves
Jimmy Choo Fever, from £43
"Fan me down now! This scent is so sexy, I can feel myself adopting a six-inch-heel shimmy, even in my flats. With notes like roasted almond, black plum nectar and vanilla orchid, it’s part floral, part gourmand, and 100% my thing."
Michael Kors Twilight Shimmer, from £42
"This delicious mix of praline, red fruits and musk is richer than an Apple shareholder and lives up to the promise of that glam, sparkly bottle. It immediately gave me the urge to throw on an LBD and swan off into the night. (Or, more realistically, book a babysitter and go to PizzaExpress.)"
Beauty editor Octavia’s fragrance style is: A big bunch of flowers
"Flowers are my thing – bunches, gardens, fragrances… I can’t get enough, whether it’s delicate bergamot or freesia, musky rose or big white florals like jasmine and gardenia. My wedding scent was Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.15, with Damask rose at its heart. I love Paco Rabanne Lady Million, which looks naff but smells sophisticated, and I’m in love with boutique brand Floral Street. Its Wonderland Peony, from £20, is a joy."
New scents she loves
Tabitha Webb for Avon Pure Temptation, £18
"What a surprise! Fragrance snobs might turn their noses up at Avon (big mistake), but even I was expecting something safe and assuming. This is neither. It has so much personality, with a hit of sweet raspberries at the beginning, then rose, woods and musk in the dry down. I’m really impressed by it, especially for this price."
Nuxe Le Matin de Possibles, £49
"I love the name: like the promise of a good day to come. The scent is really uplifting too. It’s a simpler smell than I’d normally be drawn to, with orange blossom, petitgrain (a citrusy oil) and cashmere musk – nothing heavy or complex, but I love wearing it in the sunshine."
Beauty writer Zoe’s fragrance style is: Clean, simple and aquatic
"I’m a sucker for a simple scent. If I could bottle the smell of laundry hanging out to dry on a warm day, I’d be in heaven. My “special occasion” perfume, which gets me more compliments than anything else, is Zarkoperfume’s gorgeously light and sexy Pink Molecule, £85. For daytime, I’d go for something that reminds me of the ocean, like Clean Reserve’s Rain."
New scents she loves
Rituals Océan Infini, £39
"I’ve used Rituals shower gels for ages and I’m happy I’ve found a perfect matching perfume. This is inspired by the fragrances of Bali, from the sparkling ocean to the sweet pears that grow on the island. A gorgeous combination."
Vera Wang Embrace Periwinkle and Iris, £25
"I normally stay away from floral scents, but I make a big exception for this light little number. It has notes of blue jasmine and mandarin, and it reminds me of a holiday I went on to the Italian coast. Nostalgic and pretty."
And if you just can’t decide…
For max fragrance inspiration, head to H&M. This week they’re launching a new wardrobe of fragrances from £3.99. The collection’s been developed with fine fragrance house Givaudan, and it’s split into three groups.
There are singles, £4.99 each with a distinct note like vanilla, chocolate, or lipstick (!), you can wear alone or combine.
Or if you’d like the legwork done for you, there are 10 mood-creating Reveries, £9.99 (£3.99 for purse sprays), or five more complex Essences, £19.99, with each based around a key fine fragrance ingredient, such as sandalwood or rose.
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